Community Emergency Response Team Established at C.W. Post

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Twenty-six students, professors and staff members at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University have completed training in emergency response and formed the first student-based Campus Community Emergency Response Team in Nassau County. Members of the C.W. Post C-CERT will be honored at a recognition ceremony March 15.

Trained in emergency preparedness, fire safety, emergency medical operations, simple search and rescue operations, disaster psychology and terrorism, the C-CERT team members will assist police, fire and medical responders in the event of an emergency at C.W. Post or in neighboring communities. The CERT program is organized under the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management and is made possible by support and funding from the state Emergency Management Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The purpose of having a C-CERT on the C.W. Post Campus is to use our own community members to create a more prepared college campus,” said Paul Rapess, director of public safety at C.W. Post. “Having a C-CERT at C.W. Post will allow for more immediate assistance instead of having to rely solely on the services of outside agencies.”

Team members trained for eight weeks during the fall 2009 semester. During emergency drills on campus throughout the year, the C-CERT will practice alongside the Public Safety officers and secondary agencies. The C-CERT volunteers will also be able to serve communities throughout Nassau County if called upon by the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management in times of need. Periodic refresher courses will be offered to maintain and update the C-CERT volunteers’ training.

The recognition ceremony for C-CERT team members will be held Monday, March 15 at 2 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Winnick House administration building at C.W. Post.